I have finally got all my courage and scheduled the OSCP exam in a few days. Although I managed to pwn all boxes in the lab, I am still wary of this challenge. Any tips from those who have taken the challenge before? I have heard about a special challenge with maximum points, is it better to approach it first?

It's all about time management. Don't forget to take breaks and eat. If you get stuck, step away from the monitor and take a breather. Focus on one target at a time, if you try to tackle them all simultaneously you run the risk of getting confused.